Ms. M. Flynn, trainer of Blackberryblossom, reported to the Office of the Governing Bodies on Tuesday 24th January that her charge had a wind operation since her last run at Listowel on 6th June 2011.
Fairyhouse Meeting, 11th January 2012
007F Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Steeplechase & Mr. F. Flood, trainer of Lascalahall, reported to the Office of the Governing Bodies on Monday 23rd January that his charge choked in running and was therefore pulled up.
Thurles Meeting, 19th January 2012
The Stewards authorised the following substitution of rider at this meeting: Andrew J. McNamara replaced R.M. Power (injured) on Red Calima, trained by Mr. Paul Nolan (fifth race).
011A www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle & N.P. Madden, rider of Troll D’Oudairies (FR), trained by Mr. Martin Brassil, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was outpaced at halfway, but stayed on well in the latter stages.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Sarabad (FR), trained by Mr. W.P. Mullins, was found to be distressed post race.
011B I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle & R. Walsh, rider of Benefficient, trained by Mr. A.J. Martin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount travelled well before weakening quickly. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Benefficient was found to be blowing hard post race and was subsequently examined endoscopically. Samples were taken for analysis.
Mr. P.W. Mullins, rider of Pickapocketortwo, trained by Mr. W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled, made a mistake at the fourth last hurdle and weakened. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Pickapocketortwo was found to be blowing hard post race and was subsequently examined endoscopically.
011C Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Steeplechase & The Stewards interviewed Ms. K. Walsh, rider of Viking Splash, placed second, concerning her use of the whip.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that Ms. Walsh was in breach of Regulation 10 in that she used her whip with excessive frequency. Having taken her record into account, the Stewards therefore severely cautioned her concerning her future responsibilities in this regard.
011F W.T. O’Grady Memorial European Breeders Fund Novice Steeplechase & B.J. Cooper, rider of Frisco Depot (GB), trained by Mr. D.T. Hughes, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made mistakes and hung badly in the latter stages. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Frisco Depot (GB) was found to be post race normal.
011G Leugh Handicap Hurdle & R. Walsh, rider of Askmeroe, trained by Mr. A.J. Martin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled and did not handle today’s ground. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Askmeroe was found to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.
A.E. Lynch, rider of Lurgan, trained by Mr. Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled in this race.
Dundalk Meeting, 20th January 2012
The Stewards authorised the following substitution of rider at this meeting: Megan Carberry replaced J.F. Egan (Stewards permission) on Granski, trained by Mr. P. Delaney (sixth race).
012B(i) Irish Stablestaff Association Awards March 3rd 2012 Handicap (Division One) & The Stewards interviewed F. Lynch, rider of the winner Cool Athlete, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that F. Lynch was in breach of Regulation 10 3, in that he had used the whip without giving his mount time to respond. Having taken his good record in this regard into account, the Stewards therefore cautioned him accordingly.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Night Breeze, trained by Mr. M. Halford, was found to have no abnormalities post race.
012B(ii) Irish Stablestaff Association Awards March 3rd 2012 Handicap (Division Two) & Mr. Dermot Anthony McLoughlin, trainer of Indian Luck, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge scoped badly post race.
012D www.dundalkstadium.com Handicap & The Stewards enquired into possible interference at two stages in the home straight. The first incident involved the winner Farmleigh House, ridden by N.G. McCullagh, That’s A Fret, ridden by C.P. Hoban, placed third, and Tornadodancer, ridden by M.C. Hussey, unplaced, after it appeared that the latter suffered some interference and had to check.
The second incident involved the winner Farmleigh House and That’s a Fret, after it appeared that the latter was struck on the head by N.G. McCullagh’s whip.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge’s placing in the first incident and took no further action. However the second incident, the Stewards cautioned N.G. McCullagh concerning his use of the whip.
012F(i) Follow Dundalk On Facebook Handicap (Division One) & The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the two furlong pole involving the winner General Bunching (USA), ridden by R.P. Cleary, Word For Word, ridden by M.C. Hussey, placed second, Imprudent Miss, ridden by R. Coakley, placed third, and Bramante (GB), ridden by E.J. McNamara, placed fourth, after it appeared that Bramante (GB) and Imprudent Miss both suffered interference.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that, whilst the winner caused interference, he did not improve his placing in so doing and therefore the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge’s placings. The Stewards were, however, of the opinion that R.P. Cleary was in breach of Rule 214, in that he had ridden carelessly, and having taken his record into account, they therefore suspended him for one race day (3rd February).
Mr. J.G. Coogan, trainer, attended this enquiry, representing Mr. K.J. Condon, Master of R. Coakley.
Mr. Paul Hennessy, trainer of Doctor Deejay, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge was found to have a burst blood vessel following an endoscopic examination post race.
Naas Meeting, 21st January 2012
013A I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle & A.E. Lynch, rider of Hi Big Man, trained by Mr. Daniel Miley, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost his action in this race.
013G Tipper Road (Pro/Am) I.N.H. Flat Race & Mr. Timothy O’Sullivan, trainer of Sasa Semo (FR), reported to the Office of the Governing Bodies on Tuesday 24th January that his charge scoped badly post race.
Fairyhouse Meeting, 22nd January 2012
The Stewards authorised the following substitution of rider at this meeting: P. Townend rode Some Gem (reserve), trained by Mr. Thomas Mullins (sixth race).
014B Easter 8th – 10th April Mares Novice Hurdle & P.T. Enright, rider of Oscars Business, trained by Mr. Robert Tyner, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount travelled well but weakened on the approach to the third last hurdle. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Oscars Business was found to be post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.
014F Costa Coffee Dock Handicap Hurdle & The Stewards requested a report from Mr. D.T. Hughes, trainer of the winner Caheronaun, regarding the apparent improvement in form of his charge compared with the mares previous run at Limerick on the 27th December 2011, where she finished 7th of 12 and was beaten 41 lengths by the winner Really Unique.
Mr. Hughes reported that he was disappointed with the horse’s run at Limerick and found no abnormality when he examined the animal at home post race. In comparing that race with today’s race, he said he felt that the mare jumped better on this occasion and this alone kept her in contention throughout.
Having considered the report, the Stewards noted its content.
The Stewards requested a report from Mr. Robert Alan Hennessy, trainer of Table Mountain, placed second, regarding the apparent improvement in form of his charge compared with the horse’s previous runs at Gowran Park, on the 26th November 2011 and more recently at Leopardstwn on the 28th December 2011 when the gelding finished 11th of 15 and was beaten 52 lengths by the winner Make Your Mark.
Mr. Hennessy reported that his charge was returning to the racecourse following a layoff when running at Gowran Park and tired in the very testing ground. In relation to the most recent run, he reported that his charge raced prominently at Leopardstown and dropped out turning for home. Since then it was noted that the gelding made a noise at home so a cross nose band was fitted today. In addition the gelding was ridden from off the pace today and finished well. In his opinion these were two contributing factors for the improved run in this race, while this was the horse’s first run in a handicap.
Having considered the report, the Stewards noted its content.
D.N. Russell, rider of Fiery Oscar, trained by Mr. Rodger Sweeney, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a bad mistake early, lost confidence and never travelled thereafter. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Fiery Oscar was found to be post race normal.